May Ends and June Begins

Just as life was readjusting to a new normal and we were beginning to venture out again, 2020 reminded us once again, we are not in control. We must look to God for comfort, peace and trust in HIS promises, and not rely on ourselves.

Admittedly, it's been difficult to find the bright spot or be the bright spot these last few days of May if you are paying any attention at all to the news or social media. 

So I decided to look no further than my own back yard. An evening around the fire with my kids, my hubby, singing, and s'mores melted away the cares of the world around us.

Lake Time and Puppy Cuddles

On my 5 mile bike ride last night, the sun cast a perfect shadow of me. I wish I'd had my camera so I could've captured my bike riding shadow. I was definitely in the bright spotlight of the sun.

My girl and me took a walk along the seawall in Clear Lake. Even though it was overcast, there's just nothing quite like being next to the lake to brighten the day.

Doodle snuggles always manage to bring a smile.

The Future is Looking So Bright!

Bible journaling with my girl! So very blessed to have my college junior (now senior) spending this quarantine time at home with us. She gets me through all the days! We drink coffee, bake, cook, binge watch stuff on Netflix, put puzzles together, karaoke, and cheer each other on. I can't imagine self-isolation without her!

Beverages on the patio include sunny morning whipped coffees and evening glasses of wine by the fire! Perfect bright spots no matter what time of day!

Radiate

John 1:5 says, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

As I sit here drinking my coffee this morning and typing this blog entry, the sun is shining through the window. I'm literally sitting in a bright spot! At first, I was trying to lean down to avoid the glare, but now I'm leaning in and letting the warmth bathe my forehead and eyes. Yes, I'm squinting and can see my reflection in the computer screen, but I'm thankful for the light.

A friend in my group chat posted a song this morning that was a perfect bright spot for this day...

"Radiate" by Hannah Kerr

Lyrics:

Made a future out of my past
You meet me right where I am
It's all part of Your plan

Shines brighter
Shines brighter

No matter what comes my way
I'll live my life
Radiate Your light
Now and always
I'll let my lips be only for Your name
No darkness gonna stand in my way
If my way is Your way then You'll make me
Radiate
Radiate

Lord, let my story be a glimpse of Your glory

Shines brighter
Shines brighter

No matter what comes my way
I'll live my life
Radiate Your light
Now and always
I'll let my lips be only for Your name
No darkness gonna stand in my way
If my way is Your way then You'll make me
Radiate…

The Bright Spot Challenge Begins!

My mom kept a journal of my first few days of kindergarten. Apparently, the teacher told mom that I was a "Bright Spot" in the class. For the rest of May, I'm hoping to either be a bright spot in someone's day or see a bright spot in my own day.

Lately, my evening glass of wine has been a bright spot in my day.

Other bright spots in May so far, include...

My patient, loving husband; my wonderful kids; and the cutest, smartest mini goldendoodle on the planet!

This Mother's Day 2020 has been relaxing and stress-free. Just what I needed. (The coffee shop gift cards from the kids were a great bonus!!).

John 6:40

"For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day." NIV

"For the longing of my Father is that everyone who embraces the Son and believes in him will experience eternal life and I will raise them up in the last day!" TPT

"For this is My Father's will and His purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day." AMPC

"And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day." KJV

Eternal life - An infinitely high quality of life in living fellowship with God--both now and forever.

Raise him up at the last day - Death cannot destroy the life that Christ gives.

John 12:45 - "When he looks at me, he sees the one who sent me."

Playing Catch Up - Part 4 - Photo Highlights of 2019

These are a few of my favorite things...

Playing Catch Up - Part 3 - Photo Highlights of 2018

Milwaukee in the winter.

Monarch migration stop over in our backyard.

 The I-35W Bridge collapse memorial is known as the Remembrance Garden.

 San Juan Puerto Rico

 St Maarten

 Spring apple blossoms.

 Tree branches frozen in ice at sunset.

Beautiful places and beauty in nature.

Playing Catch Up - Part 2 - Photo Highlights of 2017

Looking back on 2017 and reflecting on events, travel, and milestones, it doesn't seem possible that was only a mere 3 years ago. In some respects, it seems much longer ago.

Focusing on the little droplets of life then that seemed so large at the time is like the verse in the Bible about our lives being nothing more than a mist -- a vapor quickly dispersed.

I began leading the Bible Journaling group at Rhythm Church in January after a family trip to Florida's DisneyWorld and Universal Studio.

Mary continued starring in mainstage productions at Stebens and was blessed to continue art lessons with Jan. Painting the poppies growing so beautifully in her yard was an annual project. Several of the paintings grace our kitchen wall.

Not only did I begin a new full-time job, but finished homeschooling and put on the graduation party to put all other graduation parties to shame.

As the sun set on that 5 year accomplishment of tutoring my daughter from 8th to 12th grade, I couldn't have been happier that we made that decision.

Joel and I took a ride on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad to commemorate our anniversary.

A weekend trip to Colorado in October provided breathtaking vistas and a nice little break.

"And I'm content in the autumn of my life..."

Playing Catch Up - Part 1 - Photo Highlights of 2016

Prior to the previous 2020 Photography Goals blog post, one would assume I hadn't taken any pictures since November of 2015. For my own chronological documentation, since I don't believe anyone else but me reads this, I will play a little catch up by selecting some of my favorite images from the 'missing' years...

January 16, 2016 - We bring home our 8-week-old mini Goldendoodle, Luca.

The rest of 2016 was a flutter of activity! In addition to training the new puppy, we invested in real estate, continued a variety of homeschooling activities, and supported the children's theatre both physically and financially.

Photography Goal for 2020 - Take a Selfie a Day

January 1, 2020 - Nine months in of learning to play the flute...major bucket list item achieved!

January 2, 2020 - C-PAP mask trial #1 and my two other best friends in the background--the DreamStation and the So-Clean machine. A sleep study in early December revealed a diagnosis of sleep apnea. So the day after Christmas, I became the proud owner of this attractive, medieval face hugger.

It took 30 minutes to attach all the electrodes and monitor wires for the sleep study, and the report from that study indicated I stopped breathing 41 times per hour for 10 seconds or more and that my oxygen saturation level dropped to 83%. Joel told me I had been snoring and stopping breathing for awhile, but the implications weren't clear until the neurologist explained that I was literally killing brain cells!








January 3, 2020 - My Goldendoodle, Luca, and I hanging out in the living room on the couch.

 

January 4, 2020 - Me and the hubby at the annual Rohne family Christmas gathering.

January 5, 2020 - Bible Art Journaling at the kitchen table on my 56th birthday.

January 6, 2020 - A belated Starbucks birthday treat with my girl.

January 7, 2020 - Representing with my Waldorf Warriors Theatre sweatshirt.

January 8, 2020 - Meskwaki Casino lunch buffet with Dad. (Yes! That IS a UFO from the DESSERT planet hovering over our heads!!

January 9, 2020 - My Northwood Bible Art Journaling Community Group. We meet at the 1st Lutheran Church on Thursday nights.

January 10, 2020 - Coffee and Bible Journaling with Calley at Jitters.

January 11, 2020 - Sipping tea at Holistic Harmony in Clear Lake.

January 12, 2020 - Loom knitting whilst sitting. I've been making hats this way and donating them to various places since joining Angela's knitting and crochet community group for Rhythm Church.

January 13, 2020 - Working on our main computer digitizing Mom's Past Times columns to format and sell as a 2-volume eBook set on Amazon.

January 14, 2020 - Road trip to Forest City to return Mary to spring semester of her junior year.

January 15, 2020 - C-PAP mask trial #2...couldn't get used to the nasal-only mask so trying the next size up with hose at the top.

January 16, 2020 - You can never have too many selfies with the cutest doggie in the world!!

January 17, 2020 - Pizza, beer, and cribbage with my guy at Worth Brewing.

January 18, 2020 - Bible Journaling in my craft and music room.











THE END...?

...My photography goal for 2020 lasted a whole 18 days.

What did I learn? I like to eat, drink, and spend a lot of time Bible Journaling. Also, I seem to wear the same few sweaters and sweatshirts over and over again. Additionally, this goal lasted longer than most of the New Year's resolutions that I've tried to make in the past--so there's that.